Booklet helps history buffs track down Poconos' past

The booming leather-tanning industry inspired the name for Tannersville, while Polk Township drew its name from President James K. Polk when it separated from Chestnuthill Township in 1846.

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By JENNA EBERSOLE

poconorecord.com

By JENNA EBERSOLE

Posted Jul. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By JENNA EBERSOLE
Posted Jul. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

The booming leather-tanning industry inspired the name for Tannersville, while Polk Township drew its name from President James K. Polk when it separated from Chestnuthill Township in 1846.

Markers and historic buildings are scattered across the Poconos, but tracking down the sites critical to the development of Monroe County and their stories can be difficult.

The Monroe County Historical Coalition is hoping to change that with a new "Passport to History" booklet.

The coalition worked for more than a year to collect and compile the sites, which will now each offer a passport-style stamp for visitors to collect in the book.

The books are available at several historical sites with a $2 donation and include information on sites in each municipality.

On one page of the book, a timeline of the history of Jackson Township, which was known in the early 1900s for its ice industry, begins between 1760 and 1765. Visitors today can visit a restored one-room schoolhouse.

Another page describes Kunkletown's namesake Joseph Kunkle, a businessman and hotel owner. A gun factory for the U.S. Army also operated from 1812-1830 in Kunkletown.

The book also contains photographs, addresses, contact information, GPS coordinates, admission costs and site hours. Sites featured include historic general stores, schools and churches.

Monroe County Historical Society Executive Director Amy Leiser said the new books, available just in the past few days, have been in development since early 2013 when the coalition of several historic groups discussed ways to bring their histories together.

"You know what's in your backyard," Leiser said. The groups combined their knowledge to select and describe each site.

Leiser said she believes the passport could benefit local businesses as people explore areas they might not have realized were there before and go shopping or to restaurants.

"It's just to really show what our community has here," she said.

Leiser said summertime is also a great opportunity to visit the sites, and she believes the book can benefit residents and tourists to the Poconos.

"So it's not a lot of money that can provide a lot of entertainment from traveling around the county," she said. "It's a lot cheaper than a movie ticket and it can last a lot longer."

Visit a page on the historical society's website at monroehistorical.org/passport.html to find out more on the book or view the list of sites where it can be picked up including local libraries and historical associations.